Banksy

Banksy is the pseudonym of a British graffiti artist of unconfirmed identity, who has been active since 1992-94. It has been suggested that he was born in 1974 and raised in Bristol, England.

Known for his works mixing satirical and subversive elements, pop culture and dark humour, Banksy’s artworks are incorporated stencils, sculpture and even props.

Notable sales

Record prices

On 19th October 2006, a set of Kate Moss paintings sold in Sotheby's London for £50,400, setting an auction record for Banksy's work.

Another Banksy artwork, Bombing Middle England sold for £102,000 – the highest auction price ever paid for a Banksy artwork - on 21st February 2007.

An original artwork by the legendary street artist, Banksy, for a Greenpeace Save or Delete campaign photographic poster, sold for £78,000 ($122,098) on 11th January at Bonhams in London.

‘Portrait of an artist’, circa 1998

Other highlights at Bonhams’ January sale included Portrait of an Artist, circa 1998, believed to be the first work that he created for sale. It sold for £60,000.

Film

Banksy's first film, Exit Through the Gift Shop, billed as "the world's first street art disaster movie", made its debut at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival.

The film was released in the UK on 5th March 2010. In January 2011, he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary for the film.

The Simpsons

In October, 2010, Banksy contributed his art to the opening credits sequence of long-running US animated sitcom The Simpsons.

Sale of identity on eBay

In January, 2011, what was believed to be Banksy’s real name scribbled on a piece of paper was offered for sale on the popular auction website eBay priced at $999,999. It was soon withdrawn from the website for being in breach of its terms and conditions.

Famous collectors and fans

Notable collectors known to have purchased works by Banksy include Hollywood stars |Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and Dennis Hopper.